By 2019, the number of drone flights will grow by around 50% from between 60 and 65 per day to 90. "We have seen a steady demand signal from all of our geographic combatant commanders to have more of this capability," Davis told reporters.

Combatant commands are in the following regions: European, Pacific, Central, African, Northern and Southern.

US military sources stressed that the planned increase in drone flights used to meet reconnaissance needs comes amid the current tensions in the US relations with Russia and China.

The Pentagon press service declined to comment if Washington plans an increase in drone flights in close vicinity to Russia.